Bobhaze
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I know. I get it. We are all starving for football and each year in late July, training camp marks the beginning of of preparation for a new football season. But may I suggest that TC is one of the most outdated ideas since the rotary land line phone?
In the mid 20th century, NFL coaches and executives figured out that before their season began, they needed some time to whip their players into shape. Even in the 1950s and 60s, NFL players were part timers. In the off season most players sold cars or insurance to make ends meet. The big pay days for players that allowed them to train full time didn’t start happening until the mid-late 70s so almost all players worked off season jobs.
So players in those days were out of shape in July and needed some time to get in football shape and prep for the season. And “getting away” from family and “distractions” were considered part of the formula for getting players ready.
Today’s players stay in shape year round. They have mini-camps in the off season to fine tune schemes and new wrinkles to their offense and defense. Veteran starters have the least to gain and most to lose by going through six weeks of TC practices and “exhibition” preseason games that are really mostly about selecting the last few members of the 53 man roster.
So here are some suggestions to make TC more modern:
Training camp needs a face lift and modernizing. I know many here will say this is sacrilege. But probably only because of the starvation for football, lol.
In the mid 20th century, NFL coaches and executives figured out that before their season began, they needed some time to whip their players into shape. Even in the 1950s and 60s, NFL players were part timers. In the off season most players sold cars or insurance to make ends meet. The big pay days for players that allowed them to train full time didn’t start happening until the mid-late 70s so almost all players worked off season jobs.
So players in those days were out of shape in July and needed some time to get in football shape and prep for the season. And “getting away” from family and “distractions” were considered part of the formula for getting players ready.
Today’s players stay in shape year round. They have mini-camps in the off season to fine tune schemes and new wrinkles to their offense and defense. Veteran starters have the least to gain and most to lose by going through six weeks of TC practices and “exhibition” preseason games that are really mostly about selecting the last few members of the 53 man roster.
So here are some suggestions to make TC more modern:
1. The first 3 weeks of TC should be for rookies and FAs trying to make the team. Veterans can report in mid August, 3-4 weeks before the season starts. (By the way, if Zeke ends up missing most of TC this year it will have little effect on the season if he ends up playing anyway- see Emmitt Smith, 1993)
2. Cut preseason games from 4 to 3. Let’s face it, it’s terrible football. And coaches don’t game plan or reveal much of their schemes that will be used in regular season. They are usually just making final roster decisions. And those could be made without ps games. College fb does it that way.
3. College football doesn’t have “preseason games”. They have 4 weeks of practice and the games start. I contend the only reason we have NFL ps games is for the owners to pad their wallets.
4. And less than half of NFL teams don’t spend a small fortune traveling far away to hold TC. Most teams know it can easily be done at home facilities with far less cost. I think JJ uses the camp in Oxnard as a marketing tool as much as anything else.
Almost every veteran NFL player will say when asked that they mostly hate TC. The team comraderie is cool. But 4-6 weeks of practices and meaningless games, mostly away from home? 2. Cut preseason games from 4 to 3. Let’s face it, it’s terrible football. And coaches don’t game plan or reveal much of their schemes that will be used in regular season. They are usually just making final roster decisions. And those could be made without ps games. College fb does it that way.
3. College football doesn’t have “preseason games”. They have 4 weeks of practice and the games start. I contend the only reason we have NFL ps games is for the owners to pad their wallets.
4. And less than half of NFL teams don’t spend a small fortune traveling far away to hold TC. Most teams know it can easily be done at home facilities with far less cost. I think JJ uses the camp in Oxnard as a marketing tool as much as anything else.
Training camp needs a face lift and modernizing. I know many here will say this is sacrilege. But probably only because of the starvation for football, lol.
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